The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Horatio G. Sickel, IV, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the occupation of French Morocco in November 1943. Landing under fire at Fedala, French Morocco, Captain Sickel commenced the installation of the naval operating base at Casablanca. Through ingenious employment of the limited facilities available, he soon had the harbor cleared out so that convoy ships could unload. His keen judgment and initiative contributed in large measure to the success of the operation.